Systems Software Engineering Interview Experience - Hillsboro, Oregon
March 1, 2012
Negative ExperienceNo Offer
Process
I received a call from HR to set up a technical interview. Three days later, I received a call from the engineering manager, and it was mostly technical. He was very nice and asked me some basic questions on C and C++, linked-list basics, interrupt handling, etc.
The next day, I got an email to set up the onsite interview. They flew me out a week later.
Unfortunately, the onsite interview was poorly planned as it was not very technical. All technical questions were very basic and largely trivia questions. I probably missed a few, but that doesn't mean much any day. I had no opportunity for problem-solving or any reasonable length of coding, even on a whiteboard. It's their fault for not properly evaluating me or evaluating a candidate based largely on C/C++ trivia questions.
Not surprisingly, I don't have an offer so far or even a rejection. I hate being kept in the dark.
Questions
Linked-list loop detection. Interrupt service routine. Lots of C pointer stuff.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 1 interview experience for the Intel Systems Software Engineering role in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Success Rate
0%
Pass Rate
Intel's interview process for their Systems Software Engineering roles in Hillsboro, Oregon is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive0%
Neutral0%
Negative100%
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for Intel's Systems Software Engineering interview process in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Intel Work Experiences
3.0
Some good SW experience, but it was time to leave for a real SW career
Senior Software Engineer • Former Employee
Hillsboro, Oregon, United States
July 13, 2020
Pros: Stable company, good benefits. It's actually pretty cool to take the Intel Air Shuttle for career/customer meetings. There are good departments out there at Intel to work at.
I worked in Storage, NAND/Optane storage, and it was a very good experience. The department ran like its own company, with lots of opportunity, especially in Linux SW design projects. At one point, the storage department was projected to ship more silicon than Intel's CPUs, which is crazy.
Cons: Red tape, tech growth is a little muddled. IT laptop support is still all Windows (hello, macOS and Linux laptops, anyone?). There are bad departments out there to make you miserable.
The storage department got relocated to the Aloha campus. This is a campus where, basically, engineering growth (especially SW) dies. Because, let's face it, the Jones Farm, Hawthorne Farm, and Rhonler Acres are where all the R&D is happening. You are on your own forgotten island at Aloha (Intel's first Oregon building).
Also, at the end of the day, if you really want a modern career in SW, you'll need to leave the company. Intel is not an SW company, though there is SW work. However, it's really hard to find the latest and greatest SW opportunities at Intel. I started realizing the danger of me becoming obsolete in the SW industry when I attended a few external conferences. I was also severely underpaid as an SW design engineer and had to get a few external offers (one I obviously eventually took) to prove to management what I thought I was worth was true, especially since I was doing the role of 1.5-2 heads (design + QA).
3.0
Politics Block Promotion, Secure Job
Manufacturing Technician • Current Employee
Hillsboro, Oregon, United States
August 19, 2017
Pros: Job security. Sabbatical. Decent benefits but declining year after year.
Cons: Difficult to be promoted and a lot of politics.
5.0
Global Innovation in Software and Hardware
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Hillsboro, Oregon, United States
August 11, 2012
Pros: The company truly treats its employees with great care. As a corporate citizen, the company is environmentally conscious and gives back to the community globally.
Cons: As a large company, it is not very adept at changing directions. Fast adoption is unheard of, and the principle of innovation seems to override the principle of building from the work of technology communities.
- 3.0Some good SW experience, but it was time to leave for a real SW careerSenior Software Engineer • Former EmployeeHillsboro, Oregon, United StatesJuly 13, 2020Pros: Stable company, good benefits. It's actually pretty cool to take the Intel Air Shuttle for career/customer meetings. There are good departments out there at Intel to work at. I worked in Storage, NAND/Optane storage, and it was a very good experience. The department ran like its own company, with lots of opportunity, especially in Linux SW design projects. At one point, the storage department was projected to ship more silicon than Intel's CPUs, which is crazy.Cons: Red tape, tech growth is a little muddled. IT laptop support is still all Windows (hello, macOS and Linux laptops, anyone?). There are bad departments out there to make you miserable. The storage department got relocated to the Aloha campus. This is a campus where, basically, engineering growth (especially SW) dies. Because, let's face it, the Jones Farm, Hawthorne Farm, and Rhonler Acres are where all the R&D is happening. You are on your own forgotten island at Aloha (Intel's first Oregon building). Also, at the end of the day, if you really want a modern career in SW, you'll need to leave the company. Intel is not an SW company, though there is SW work. However, it's really hard to find the latest and greatest SW opportunities at Intel. I started realizing the danger of me becoming obsolete in the SW industry when I attended a few external conferences. I was also severely underpaid as an SW design engineer and had to get a few external offers (one I obviously eventually took) to prove to management what I thought I was worth was true, especially since I was doing the role of 1.5-2 heads (design + QA).
- 3.0Politics Block Promotion, Secure JobManufacturing Technician • Current EmployeeHillsboro, Oregon, United StatesAugust 19, 2017Pros: Job security. Sabbatical. Decent benefits but declining year after year.Cons: Difficult to be promoted and a lot of politics.
- 5.0Global Innovation in Software and HardwareSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeHillsboro, Oregon, United StatesAugust 11, 2012Pros: The company truly treats its employees with great care. As a corporate citizen, the company is environmentally conscious and gives back to the community globally.Cons: As a large company, it is not very adept at changing directions. Fast adoption is unheard of, and the principle of innovation seems to override the principle of building from the work of technology communities.
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